Please identify a pistol marked “Pistolle Modell 27 Kal. 7.65 Bohmische Waffen-fabrik A.G. in Prag”. I would like to know about its development and use, how to field strip it, and for what cartridge it is adapted.

Answer: The pistol is a CZ Model 27 cal. 7.65 mm. (.32 ACP) semi-automatic produced by Ceska Zbrojovka , A.S. (Czech Arms Co., Inc.), Prague, Czechoslovakia. German markings (Bohmische Waffenfabrik A.G. is equivalent to Czech Arms Co., Inc.) indicate manufacture when the CZ firm was under German administration shortly before and during World War II. German officers and police used this pistol extensively, and it was brought to this country in large numbers by returning soldiers.

Many Model 27 pistols are marked with a German World War II code (fnh) to denote place of manufacture. These are usually inferior in workmanship and finish to those without the code marking, but are serviceable pistols. Some speciments, produced after World War II for commercial sales, are marked “Ceska Zbrojovka-Narodni Podnik, Strakonice” (Czech Arms Co.—National Enterprise, Strakonice). Strakonice is the city where the CZ pistol plant is located. Administrative offices are in Prague. These commercial guns imported to the U.S. are also marked “Made in Czechoslovakia”. The Model 27 is a blowback-operated pistol with exposed hammer. It has a magazine safety which prevents firing with the magazine removed. The grip on the pistol is almost at a right angle with the barrel, and this is not good for natural pointing. It is a relatively simple and rugged pistol, and compares favorably with other semi-automatics in functioning reliability.

This pistol is adapted to the .32 Automatic cartridge, one of the most popular semi-automatic pocket pistol cartridges in the world and produced in many countries. In most places outside this country it is known as the 7.65 mm Browning. It was introduced about 1900 in Belgium for the early model FN Browning pistol, and made its appearance in this country in 1903 with the Colt pocket pistol.

In most countries this cartridge is considered of adequate power for personal defense. This is particularly true in Europe where it is not only the most popular pocket pistol cartridge, but is also employed in many nations by military services and police. In the U.S. it is considered of inadequate power for personal protection, and the .380 Automatic cartridge is more generally favored for semi-automatic pocket pistols.

Field disassembly of the Model 27 is as follows:

(1)    Pull slide to rear until held up by magazine follower. Then depress spring-loaded pin on the right side of receiver, and slide disassembly locking piece on left side of receiver downward.
(2)    Remove disassembly locking piece with attached pin from left side.
(3)    While holding slide to prevent its springing forward, remove magazine and ease slide forward off receiver. Remove barrel locking piece, recoil spring, and recoil spring guide from barrel.
(4)    Rotate barrel bushing until mark on it aligns with mark on slide. Remove barrel bushing from slide.
(5)    Pull barrel partly forward so that its lugs align with clearance cut in slide, then rotate barrel a half-turn, and remove from slide.

Assembly is in reverse order.

The CZ Model 27 pistol in good mechanical condition and with unpitted bore is currently bringing about $30 in commercial style, with the roughly finished military models from $5 to $10 less. Parts are obtainable from Christy Gun Works, 875 57th St., Sacramento, Calif. Other possible sources are Shelley Braverman, Athens 1, N.Y., and Numrich Arms Co., West Hurly 1, N.Y.